The Baseball Insiders

The Arizona Fall League is underway, and the stars are already showing out. On this week’s Prospect Show, Adam Weinrib and Eric break down the early AFL standouts and take a closer look at how the latest Bowman Chrome market trends are shaping up a few weeks after release.

They discuss Esmerlyn Valdez’s power surge (two homers in two games) and his long-term outlook as a Rule 5–eligible boom-or-bust bat, Seaver King’s breakout week against top competition, and Hagen Smith’s dominant 4 Ks in three shutout frames. Plus, which other prospects have opened eyes early in Arizona?

Then, a Bowman Chrome check-in — which players are seeing price spikes (Cam Schlittler?), who still feels fairly valued, and who’s worth chasing right now on the hobby side.

Subscribe for prospect analysis, Bowman Chrome updates, and AFL storylines every week on The Baseball Insiders Prospect Show. ⚾

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The 2025 MLB postseason has been pure chaos — and the Blue Jays have officially advanced, eliminating the Yankees. Adam Weinrib and Emma Lingan break down the most impressive and most depressing teams of October so far, plus the biggest X-factors and worries still looming in the playoffs.

Special guest Iain MacMillan joins to react to Toronto’s win, share his thoughts on the Games 3 and 4 rollercoaster, and explain why the Jays could be built for a deep run. They also dig into pitch-tipping rumors, home-road splits, and the growing confidence in Toronto’s clubhouse.

Subscribe for exclusive playoff breakdowns, insider MLB analysis, and daily October storylines from The Baseball Insiders. ⚾

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SUBSCRIBE to The Moonshot, our weekly baseball email newsletter, where the FanSided MLB team, including Robert Murray, break down all the biggest stories in the big leagues with humor, insight and behind-the-scenes info: https://fansided.us5.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b9bb472d0aa5e8abf01e2ced7&id=fa28ec1e24

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The 2025 MLB postseason is being dominated by young arms like Trey Yesavage, Connelly Early, and Cam Schlittler — but who’s next? ⚾

On this week’s Prospect Show, hosts Adam Weinrib and Eric Cole project ahead to five top prospects we’ll see in the 2026 MLB Playoffs — breakout names ready to follow in this year’s footsteps.

🔥 Quick Hit:

-MLB’s Way-Too-Early Mock Draft – Roch Cholowsky at No. 1, but who else did they nail?

Subscribe for insider prospect analysis, future playoff predictions, and next-gen MLB stars every week.

SUBSCRIBE to The Moonshot, our weekly baseball email newsletter, where the FanSided MLB team, including Robert Murray, break down all the biggest stories in the big leagues with humor, insight and behind-the-scenes info: https://fansided.us5.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b9bb472d0aa5e8abf01e2ced7&id=fa28ec1e24

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October is here — and the firings have already started. ⚾

On today’s episode of The Baseball Insiders, hosts Adam Weinrib and Robert Murray react to the first wave of MLB managerial changes and early playoff action:

Giants: Bob Melvin out — could a Bruce Bochy reunion really happen?

Rangers: Bochy dismissed, Skip Schumaker rumored to be the frontrunner.

Twins: Rocco Baldelli surprisingly out — what’s next in Minnesota?

Angels: Ron Washington & Ray Montgomery gone — does Perry Minasian stay, and could Arte look at Albert Pujols?

Pirates: Don Kelly & Ben Cherington both back — half-right move?

Cardinals: Oli Marmol stays under Chaim Bloom — how much leash does he have?

🔥 Quick Hits:

Early Wild Card thoughts — Tarik Skubal delivers in October.

Updated World Series predictions after Game 1.

Empty the notebook: Robert previews where he's headed in October.

Subscribe for insider playoff breakdowns, MLB news, and exclusive managerial insights all October long.

SUBSCRIBE to The Moonshot, our weekly baseball email newsletter, where the FanSided MLB team, including Robert Murray, break down all the biggest stories in the big leagues with humor, insight and behind-the-scenes info: https://fansided.us5.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b9bb472d0aa5e8abf01e2ced7&id=fa28ec1e24

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From minor league dreams to October legends? ⚾

On today’s Prospect Show, hosts Adam Weinrib and Eric Cole spotlight three recent top prospects who could unexpectedly play huge roles in deciding the 2025 World Series champion:

-Trey Yesavage (Blue Jays) – suddenly Toronto’s No. 2 starter on the No. 1 seed in the AL.

-Connelly Early (Red Sox) – now Boston’s No. 3 starter after the Lucas Giolito injury.

-Chase DeLauter (Guardians) – activated late, can he provide a spark in Cleveland’s run?

🔥 Bonus: Noelvi Marte’s September surge may have single-handedly changed the NL playoff picture.

Quick Hits:

-Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp supremacy – Triple-A championship walk-off from Jacob Berry and the Marlins’ big finish.

Subscribe now for the best MLB prospect coverage, insider analysis, and future star breakdowns every week!

SUBSCRIBE to The Moonshot, our weekly baseball email newsletter, where the FanSided MLB team, including Robert Murray, break down all the biggest stories in the big leagues with humor, insight and behind-the-scenes info: https://fansided.us5.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b9bb472d0aa5e8abf01e2ced7&id=fa28ec1e24

Got more questions for Robert & Adam? Join our Discord channel! Become a member HERE to get started: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7_dK0B3mwchuelVrj_M-ng/join

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The MLB playoff races are absolutely insane right now, and we’re running the Playoff Panic Meter for every contender on the edge.

Hosts Adam Weinrib and Robert Murray break down the late-September chaos:

-Guardians vs. Tigers – do both make it, or does one collapse out of the bracket?

-Astros’ final 5 games – still the same October-ready Astros, or in real danger of missing out?

-Red Sox – series against Tigers and Jays could decide everything.

-Mets’ NL Wild Card fight – are they really at risk of a collapse worse than 2007?

-Tigers’ collapse watch – is this worse than anything we’ve seen before, or do the Mets’ expectations make theirs the ultimate disaster?

🔥 Quick Hits:

-ABS Challenges coming – thoughts on the new system.

-Alek Manoah DFA – is this the end, or does someone take a chance?

-Clayton Kershaw’s playoff roster spot – does he make it?

⚾ Subscribe for insider MLB analysis, playoff breakdowns, and October storylines you can’t get anywhere else.

SUBSCRIBE to The Moonshot, our weekly baseball email newsletter, where the FanSided MLB team, including Robert Murray, break down all the biggest stories in the big leagues with humor, insight and behind-the-scenes info: https://fansided.us5.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b9bb472d0aa5e8abf01e2ced7&id=fa28ec1e24

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Which top MLB prospects are most likely to be traded this offseason? ⚾

On today’s Prospect Show, hosts Adam Weinrib and Eric Cole break down six elite names who could be on the move in blockbuster trades this winter:

-Andrew Painter

-Jhostynxon Garcia

-Jett Williams

-Alex Freeland

-Michael Arroyo

-Spencer Jones

🔥Plus, we react to the BA Minor League Players of the Year

Subscribe now for the best MLB prospect coverage, insider analysis, and future star breakdowns every week!

SUBSCRIBE to The Moonshot, our weekly baseball email newsletter, where the FanSided MLB team, including Robert Murray, break down all the biggest stories in the big leagues with humor, insight and behind-the-scenes info: https://fansided.us5.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b9bb472d0aa5e8abf01e2ced7&id=fa28ec1e24

Got more questions for Robert & Adam? Join our Discord channel! Become a member HERE to get started: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7_dK0B3mwchuelVrj_M-ng/join

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Author Jane Leavy joins Adam Weinrib to unpack Make Me Commissioner: a fan-first blueprint to restore baseball’s soul. From Cape Cod’s Eldridge Park to today’s metrics-first MLB, we cover wood bats, shifts still legal on the Cape, NIL/draft churn, and two competing arm-health fixes—shrink to 11 pitchers (force real starting pitching) vs expand to 15–16 with honest, fluid usage to reduce TJs. Plus: Roger Angell’s critique, Dave Roberts’ tough calls, why the challenge system (not full robo-umps) is coming, and what MLB can learn from the Savannah Bananas: “Fans first, entertainment always.”

— Why Cape Cod = Baseball’s Soul

— The Illusion of “Nothing Changes” (MLB $$, nets, safer parks)

— Wood Bats Return: New Sound, Old Game

— Shifts on the Cape: Still Legal, Still Used

— NIL & Draft Timing → Showcase League (Cotuit’s 40-player churn)

— 2023 Firebirds: A Real Team (feat. Labradoodle “Betty”)

— Air Bud vs. MLB Rules: Dogs Taking Infield?

— Roger Angell’s Lament: “They Took Away Half the Game”

— From $18 Beers to Fading Primacy

— “Throw Till You Break”: The Rays Model

— Fix Idea #1: 11-Man Staffs—Make Starters Pitch

— We Lost the ‘Third-Time-Through’ Chess Match

— No-No Drought, Yamamoto Close & Letting Him Finish

— Pulling Kershaw/Hill: Are We Precluding Greatness?

— Fix Idea #2: 15–16 Arms, Fluid Usage, Fewer TJs

— First Act as Commish: Kids 10 & Under Free (Math Checks Out)

— Next Up: Challenge System... Full Robo-Umps

— Savannah Bananas Lesson: “Fans First, Entertainment Always”

— Clutch Defined (Sue Bird) & Measuring the Immeasurable

SUBSCRIBE to The Moonshot, our weekly baseball email newsletter, where the FanSided MLB team, including Robert Murray, break down all the biggest stories in the big leagues with humor, insight and behind-the-scenes info: https://fansided.us5.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b9bb472d0aa5e8abf01e2ced7&id=fa28ec1e24

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#MLB #Baseball #MakeMeCommissioner #CapeCodLeague #OrleansFirebirds #RogerAngell #PitchingInjuries #RoboUmp #SavannahBananas #FanExperience

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Mookie Betts joins FanSided’s Adam Weinrib to tee up the MLB Postseason, break down his role-player mindset shift, and reveal the Dodgers’ biggest edge (hello, Shohei) and biggest concern heading into October. We hit the “Playa Sounds” collab with Corona (calm + playoff electricity), toughest road atmospheres (San Diego, Philly, New York), NL rivalries (Padres vs. Giants), 7 Silver Sluggers, Hall of Fame goals, and why he wants to clinch at home.

— Corona “Playa Sounds” Soundtrack

— Role-Player Mindset Shift → Playing Free

— Dodgers’ Edge: Shohei Ohtani Factor

— Concern: Syncing Hitting + Pitching + Pen

— Toughest Road Playoff Parks: SD, PHI, NYY

— Rivals Check: Padres Heat vs. Giants Dislike

— 7 Silver Sluggers: Evolving Role, Same Standard

— Passing Big Papi?

— Hall of Fame Goal: Day-by-Day Path

— Silencing Road Crowds vs. Clinching at Home

— “I Want One at Home”: The Dream Clinch

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#MookieBetts #Dodgers #MLB #MLBPostseason #ShoheiOhtani #Corona #FanSided #NLPlayoffs #Baseball

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The road to the 2025 World Series just got messy. On today’s episode of The Baseball Insiders, hosts Adam Weinrib and Robert Murray break down the six late-season storylines that could decide who wins it all:

Trey Yesavage in Toronto – X-factor arm for October?

Bo Bichette & Roman Anthony injuries – how do they shape the Blue Jays’ path?

Tarik Skubal’s side tightness – minor issue or major concern?

Final NL Wild Card battle – Mets, D-Backs, Giants, Reds: who survives?

Bryce Eldridge promotion – can the Giants’ rookie deliver in crunch time?

AL West showdown – Mariners’ push vs. Astros’ injuries (Álvarez, Zach Cole emerging).

⚾ Subscribe for insider analysis, playoff predictions, and exclusive MLB news from Robert & Adam.

SUBSCRIBE to The Moonshot, our weekly baseball email newsletter, where the FanSided MLB team, including Robert Murray, break down all the biggest stories in the big leagues with humor, insight and behind-the-scenes info: https://fansided.us5.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b9bb472d0aa5e8abf01e2ced7&id=fa28ec1e24

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